Remove Folders or Files from Your Library

There may be times when you want to remove content from your Mylio Photos Library without deleting the original files from your computer or external storage. Mylio Photos offers two ways to do this, depending on what you’re trying to remove:

• Top-level folders can be easily removed from the catalog. This disconnects the folder from Mylio Photos while keeping the original files untouched in your file system.
• Subfolders and individual files can also be removed, but this process requires more care. Because it involves moving items directly in your file system, we recommend it only for advanced users familiar with Mylio’s Safe Delete settings and file system behavior.

Each method ensures your media stays safe on disk while giving you flexibility to control what appears in your library.

Removing Top-Level Folders

If you no longer want a top-level folder to appear in your Mylio Photos Library—but don’t want to delete it from your device—you can remove it from the catalog. This disconnects the folder from Mylio Photos without affecting the original files on your computer or external drive.

To remove a top-level folder from Mylio Photos:

1. Double-click the Folders icon in the left sidebar to open the Folders View.
2. Select the top-level folder to remove.
3. Right-click your selection or tap the Actions Menu icon in the right sidebar.
4. Choose Remove Folder from Catalog. The folder and its contents will no longer appear in Mylio Photos, but the files remain intact in your file system.

Removing Subfolders and Individual Files (Advanced)

Removing a file or subfolder from Mylio Photos without deleting it from your device requires careful handling in the file system. These steps are intended for advanced users who are comfortable working outside the app. If not followed correctly, this process can result in duplicates, lost files, sync errors, or catalog issues.

*NOTE: These steps can only be performed on a macOS or Windows computer. They are not available on mobile devices (smartphones or tablets).

Safely Remove a File or Subfolder from Mylio Photos (Advanced)

To safely remove a file or subfolder:

1. Open the Dashboard , go to the Devices section, and select the device you are currently using.
2. In the Device Details panel, scroll to the External Changes Policy setting and change it to Remove deleted files on all devices. This tells Mylio Photos to respect file removals made in the file system and sync those changes across your library.

3. Open the Folders View, then Right-click the file or folder you want to remove or tap the Actions Menu icon in the right sidebar, and select Reveal In > Finder/Explorer (or External, if the content is on an external drive). This opens the file location in your operating system’s file browser.

4. Move the file or folder to a new location outside of Mylio Photos’ watched folders. This effectively removes it from your Mylio Library without deleting it from your device.
5. Allow time for Mylio Photos to detect and sync the change. Sync time depends on the size of the removed content. Bring all connected devices online and wait for the changes to sync across your library.
6. Once you’ve confirmed the file or subfolder has been removed from Mylio Photos, return to Dashboard > Devices, select your current device, and set the External Changes Policy back to Restore files deleted in the Operating System.